Faculty Biography | Ellen Baker

Ellen BakerLecturer

Ellen has had 33 years of experience in the public schools as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and literacy coordinator. Her interests lie in the exploration of differentiated instruction, curriculum and assessment that are based on various ways that students access knowledge, ensuring active student engagement, literacy instruction as it relates to all content areas, and classroom management strategies that enable teachers to create a effective and safe community of learners. She has hosted student teachers for 18 years and worked as Adjunct Faculty for other colleges and universities for 24 years. Ellen was a member of the Professional Standards Board for Vermont Educators and was one of the authors of the Five Standards for Vermont Educators. Ellen currently holds the position of Director of Teacher Education.

Areas of Expertise:

Differentiated Instruction: I have offered differentiation workshops to k-6 teachers in the Washington Central Supervisory Union and served on a committee that highlighted work being done with students who exceed the standard. I also worked with students in the elementary education program through one of the required courses. Additionally, I have created and co-taught a course for continuing education which incorporated Differentiated Instruction for graduate and undergraduate students.

Literacy Instruction: This is an area in which I have a great deal of expertise. I served as the chair of the Literacy Committee for my school for five years when employed as an elementary educator. I also served as co-chair for the district literacy committee. In addition I was a writing and reading consultant in my district for two years and worked with teachers on their literacy instruction. I have offered courses at several other universities and colleges on literacy instruction in the elementary grades.

Student Engagement: I have offered and co-taught several courses for the elementary education program which discuss as part of the syllabus how to engage students in the classroom through a variety of methods.

Current Projects:

National Writing Project

Courses Taught in the Last 5 Years

Awards & Honors

Teacher of the Year for Washington Central Supervisory Union from State Department of Education and University of Vermont: This award is a peer nomination and is awarded to one teacher for each district in the state of Vermont. (1985)

Licensure or Certifications

Vermont Educator License, Level II K-6

Professional Associations

American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), Vermont Council of Teacher Educators (VCTE)